Cuba hammers Mexico 16-4, faces Japan

MEXICO CITY – Yulieski Gourriel, Ariel Pestano and Frederich Cepeda all homered to help Cuba rout Mexico 16-4 in seven innings last night to secure first place in Group B in the World Baseball Classic.

Pestano and Cepeda each hit three-run homers in a nine-run seventh-inning rally to lead Cuba to a win by the mercy rule. Gourriel hit a two-run homer in a five-run fourth and finished with four RBI.

Yulieski Gonzalez (1-0) gave up one hit and one run, with three strikeouts and two walks in two innings of relief for Cuba, which finished the first round undefeated in three games; Mexico fell to 2-2.

Mexico will open the second round on Sunday in San Diego against South Korea, winner of Group A in Tokyo, while Cuba will face Japan in a rematch of the 2006 final won by Japan.

Freddy Sandoval, Oscar Robles and Karim Garcia hit solo homers for Mexico. Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk, while center fielder Scott Hairston was 0-for-1 with three walks and a run scored.

Mexico's Foro Sol stadium proved to be a hitters delight, with 28 homers hit in the six games played here.

Tomorrow's team workouts at Petco Park featuring Mexico, Cuba, South Korea and Japan will be open to the public. Gates will open at 9 a.m., and the free event will run until 5 p.m. Plans include autograph sessions with players at noon and 2 p.m. at the Padres Team Store.